Golf grip device



Feb. 10, 1953 B. M. BEEBE GOLF GRIP DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1952 ATTORNEY Feb. 10, 1953 B. M. BEEBE cow GRIP DEVICE 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1952 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOLF GRIP DEVICE Bayard Monroe Beebe, Little Silver, N. J.

Application August 1, 1952, Serial No. 302,169

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a golf grip device for guiding the position of the hands on the shaft of a golf club.

It is primarily within my contemplation to provide means to educate beginners in the correct method of holding a club, as well as to correct wrong and inefiicient grips that adversely affect the games of a large majority of more experienced players. And in the accomplishment of this objective, it is my primary object to provide effective means for guiding the thumb and forefinger of each hand into a position for a proper V formation therebetween when the hands are in grasping engagement with the top of the shaft, it being an accepted fact that with such a formation the correct positioning of the hands on the club can readily be efiected.

It is further within my contemplation to enable the golf grip device of my invention to be adapted to such variants of the said V formation grip as characterize the particular styles or grips of known professional golfers, and further to be adapted to the individual physical requirements of the player. In the accomplishment of this objective I have devised a novel grip member adapted for attachment to the,

handle of a golf club, whereby such members may be selected according to hand and finger size or other physical characteristics or personal preference of the player, the selected grip member being adjustably and conveniently attachable to the players own clubs. And in this aspect of my invention it is a further object to provide means, in one embodiment thereof, to enable the distance between the hands, or their relative positions on the club, to be varied, in accordance with,

personal preference or grip changes for different clubs or different angular dispositions of the face of the club head relative to the ball.

It is also an object of my invention to apply it to a club as an integral part thereof, or as an independent member fitted over the handle of the club. And with respect to the last-mentioned modification of my invention, it is my objective to enable it to be readily assembled on the club, firmly and adjustably secured thereto, and readily removed.

Another object of my invention is to provide grooved finger and hand guiding means, for the purposes aforesaid, without the necessity of cutting down or altering the effective hand gripping diameter of the clubs handle.

It is within my contemplation to provide lowcost and easily fabricated means to accomplish the objectives above-mentioned.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a golf club provided with a hand grip portion constituting one form of my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the upper portion of a golf club provided with a form of golf grip device substantially like that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the device of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the device of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows the hand grip device of Figures 2, 3 and 4 positioned over the shaft of the club and with the abuttable edges of the tubular member separated.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section of Figure 2 taken along line 66, showing the pin construction for holding the grip device secured to the shaft of the club.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of a pair of hands grasping the golf grip device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a rear View of the hands and golf club portion of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view of a modified form of my invention showing separate right and left hand grip members, the dot-dash lines indicating a shifted position of one of said grip members, and

Figure 10 is a section of Figure 9 taken along line l0l0.

In the forms of my invention illustrated, the golf grip device consists of a pre-formed preferably molded or cast portion disposed about the upper handle portion of the shaft of a golf club, the said device containing certain prominences and finger grooves adapted to guide the two hands and their fingers into proper positions relative to each other and to the club. Figure 1 shows the hand grip portion generally designated by reference numeral l5, mounted at the upper portion of shaft 16 of golf club I L The portion 15 may either by an integral part of the shaft, or it may be one or two independent units adapted for mounting upon the shaft, as indicated in the forms of my invention illustrated in Figures 2 to 10. In the preferred embodiments of my invention. there are two V-shaped prominences designated generally in Figure 1 by the reference numeral l8, each of these having an apical portion l9 pointing upwardly. The said prominences, as will more clearly hereinafter appear, are so formed and positioned that when the device is embraced by both hands, with the thumb and forefinger of each hand grasping one of the prominences, the hands will be in the generally accepted proper position for a golf swing.

Figures 2 to 8 illustrate one form of my inven tion comprising a singular tubular member 29 made of rubber or other elastic material, proportioned to snuggly fit over the shaft 2| of a golf club. As will be seen from Figures 4 to 6, the tubular member 20 may be so proportioned that the abuttable edges 22 and 23 are in contacting engagement when member 29 completely envelops the shaft. It is however understood that such a contacting engagement is not necessary, inasmuch as the elasticity of member 20 will cause it to firmly hug the shaft when edges 22 and 23 are separated. To prevent the shifting of the tube 20 relative to shaft 2 I, a pin 24 is molded into the body of said member, the shank 25 of the pin being adapted to extend into one of several recesses 26 in the shaft, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 6. Hence, the arrangement is such that the tube 20, when about to be fitted over a shaft, is first spread open as shown in Figure 5, and then shifted until the pin. is in registry with the selected one of the recesses 26. When the tube i then released and permitted to yieldably envelop the shaft 2 I, the pin will enter the recess to hold the tube against movement.

By referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the tube 20 contains upper and lower prominences 2'! and 28, these being essentially solid walls or plateaus having side edges which converge into apices. As is shown in the drawings, prominence 21 has sides 29 and 30 which converge to apex 3|; and prominence 28 has sides 32 and 33 which converge to apex 34.

Flanking the said sides 29 and 30 are the left hand thumb groove 35 and left hand forefinger groove 36, the latter extending around the side of the device as shown in Figure 3. Disposed above groove 35 is groove 37 which extends to the rear portion of the device as shown in Figure 4, this being to receive the third finger of the left hand. Below groove 35 is groove 38 which extends around to the rear of the club as shown in Figures 3 and 4, this groove being adapted to receive the fourth finger of the right hand. Below groove 33 is groove 39 which similarly extends to the rear of the club and which is adapted to receive the third or middle finger of the right hand.

Flanking the sides 32 and 33 of the prominence 28 are the respective grooves 43 and 4!, the former being to accommodate the forefinger of the right hand and the latter to accommodate the thumb of the right hand. Groove 40 extends around to the rear of the club, as shown in Figure 4.

The specific position of the fingers and the nature of the grip can best be understood from a study of Figures 7 and 8 in conjunction with Figures 2, 3 and 4. When the left hand grasps the club, as illustrated, the thumb is placed within the groove 35 substantially in the direction of arrow 35a (Figure 2), and the forefinger is disposed within groove 36 extending generally downwardly in the direction of arrow 36a (Figures 2 and 3), then curling slightly around the club at the rear thereof, at portion 36b of said arrow 36a. With the thumb and forefinger of the left hand thus positioned, they grasp therebetween the sides 29 and 30 of the prominence 27, thereby making a V-formation 42 (Figure 7) therebetween, in the region of the apex 3 i. The third or middle finger of the left hand is disposed within the groove 31, and is curled about said groove in the direction of arrow 37a. The fourth and fifth fingers of the left hand curl around the uppermost portion 43 of the shaft, in obvious manner.

When the right hand is in engagement with the lower portion of tube 20, the forefinger is disposed within groove 40, and the thumb within groove 4!, the side 32 and 33 being grasped between the said thumb and forefinger to form therebetween a V at 44 above the apex 34, as is illustrated in Figure 7. The thumb extends in the general direction of arrow 4m, and the forefinger extends in the direction of arrow 40a, and extends around the rear of the club in the general direction of arrow 40a (Figures 2 and 4). The third or middle finger of the right hand is disposed within groove 39, and extends in the general direction of arrow 39a. The fourth finger of the right hand is disposed within groove 38 and extends in the general direction of arrow 38a.

It is apparent that the fourth finger of the right hand is adjacent to the forefinger of the left hand, a occurs in proper golf grips, thereby leaving the fifth finger of the right hand for overlying engagement with the forefinger of the left hand, or for interlocking engagement therewith.

When the hands are positioned as above indicated, not only are the fingers properly disposed about the shaft of the club, but the desired V-formation is eifectuated between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Furthermore, the right hand is in proper overlying engagement with the thumb of the left hand, in view of the fact that the two apices 3i and 34 are on the same side of the shaft, that is, in substantially longitudinal alignment, or close to such alignment, whichever may be preferred. And it i evident that this proper positioning is effected merely by permitting the fingers to fall into the proper grooves of the grip device, with the forefinger and thumb of each hand gripping one of said prominences in the manner aforesaid.

In the form of my invention above described, a singular tubular member 20 is employed, for both hands. It is within my contemplation that there be a number of such members pro-formed to accommodate hands and fingers of various sizes, as well as of various configurations to conform with the variou hand grips preferred by prominent golfers. Thus each player can select a hand grip suitable to his physical requirements or personal preference. And such selected grip device can be readily applied to the players own golf clubs. It is further apparent that there may be different forms of grip devices for use with different clubs. and also that the grip member may be positioned at different parts of the club shaft in accordance with the particular club used or the particular angular positioning of the face of the club relative to the ball.

In the event it is desired to vary the distance between the hands, the form of my invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 can be employed. In this form there are two grip members 45 and 46, the former being for the right hand and the latter for the left hand. It will be observed that there are prominences 47 and 48, these being specifically like those hereinabove described; and there are also grooves similar to those described with respect to the form first above mentioned.

In the particular form illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, each of the hand grip members 45 and 46 contains a peripheral indenture 49 within which is disposed a circular spring member 50. The arrangement is hence such that once the relative position of the two members 45 and 46 is determined, they will be yieldably and frictionally maintained in such position by said spring member 50. And it will be further observed that member 45 contains thereon arrow markers 52 and 52, these being adapted for registry with the corresponding markers 53 and 54 on grip member 46 and shaft 55, respectively. Grip member 46 also contains marker 56 corresponding to marker 51 on the shaft. The arrangement of said markers is such that the grip members 45 and 46, when placed with said markers in longitudinal registry, will be in proper predetermined relation to each other and to the shaft.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitation is specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a golf club having a shaft with a club head at one end and a handle portion adjacent the end remote from said head, the improvement which comprises a hand grip on said handle portion and having a plurality of finger-receiving grooves and a raised portion extending outwardly from the shaft in substantially the same direction as said club head, said raised portion having two lateral sides converging from a base toward the grip end of the club, said lateral sides being relatively widely separated at said base to provide a substantial thickness of material therebetween, whereby the thumb and forefinger may engage said lateral sides when the hand is operatively engaged with said hand grip and thereby be guided into a formation corresponding to said converging relation of said lateral sides.

2. In a golf club having a shaft with a club head at one end and a handle portion adjacent the end remote from said head, the improvement which comprises a hand grip on said handle portion and having a plurality of finger-receiving i grooves and a raised portion extending outwardly from the shaft in substantially the same direction as said club head, said raised portion having two lateral sides converging from a base toward the grip end of the club, said lateral sides being relatively widely separated at said base to provide a substantial thickness of material therebetween, whereby the thumb and forefinger may engage said lateral sides When the hand is operatively engaged with said hand grip and thereby be guided into a formation corresponding to said converging relation of said lateral sides, two of said finger-receiving grooves flanking said raised portion and being proportioned to receive portions of said thumb and forefinger when the hand Y operatively engages said hand grip.

3. In a golf club having a shaft with a club head at one end and a handle portion adjacent the end remote from said head, the improvement which comprises a hand grip on said handle portion and including a plurality of finger-receiving grooves and two spaced raised portions extending outwardly from the shaft in substantially the same direction as said club head, each of said raised portions having two lateral sides converging from a base toward the grip end of the club, the lateral sides of each raised portion being relatively widely separated at said base to provide a substantial thickness of material therebetween, whereby the respective thumbs and forefingers of both hands may engage the lateral sides of said raised portions when the hands are operatively engaged with said hand grip and thereby be respectively guided into a formation corresponding to said converging relation of said lateral sides.

4. In a golf club having a shaft with a club head at one end and a handle portion adjacent the end remote from said head, the improvement which comprises a hand grip on said handle porgrooves and a raised portion with a substantially \l-shaped plateau extending outwardly from the shaft in substantially the same direction as said club head, said plateau being defined by two lateral sides converging from a base toward the grip end of the club, said lateral sides being relatively widely separated at said base to provide a substantial thickness of material therebetween, whereby the thumb and forefinger may engage said lateral sides when the hand is operatively engaged with said hand grip and thereby be guided into a formation corresponding to said converging relation of said lateral sides.

5. In a golf club having a shaft with a club head at one end and a handle portion adjacent the and remote from said head, the improvement which comprises a hand grip on said handle portion and including a plurality of finger-receiving grooves and two raised portions with plateaus in longitudinal alignment and each extending outwardly from the shaft in substantially the same direction as said club head, each of said plateaus being defined by two lateral sides converging from a base toward the grip end of the club, the lateral sides of each plateau being relatively widely separated at said base to provide a substantial thickness of material therebetween, whereby the respective thumbs and forefingers of both hands may engage the lateral sides of said plateaus when the hands are operatively engaged with said hand grip and thereby be respectively guided into a formation corresponding to said converging relation of said lateral sides.

6. In a golf club having a shaft with a club head at one end and a handle portion adjacent the end remote from said head, the improvement of which comprises a tubular resilient hand grip split along a longitudinal line to present two adjacent separable longitudinal edges, said tubular hand grip being proportioned for snugly fitting over said handle portion and having a plurality of finger-receiving grooves and a raised portion extending outwardly from the shaft in substantially the same direction as said club head and having two lateral sides converging from a base toward the grip end of the club, said lateral sides being relatively widely separated at said base to provide a substantial thickness of material therebetween, whereby the thumb and forefinger may engage said lateral sides when the hand is operatively engaged with said hand grip and thereby be guided into a formation corresponding to said converging relation of said lateral sides.

BAYARD MONROE BEEBE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 614,837 Chase Nov. 2, 1898 1,075,054 Morley Oct. 7, 1913 1,556,473 Ballou Oct. 6, 1925 2,046,191 Smith June 30, 1936 2,481,778 Pearson Sept. 13, 1949 2,484,762 Strazza Oct. 11, 1949 2,587,927 Tschudy Mar. 4, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 229,103 Great Britain Feb. 19, 1925 

